Improved Prostate Health

Pumpkin seeds may prevent benign prostatic hypertrophy -- a condition characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland with associated urinary obstruction and increased risk for urinary tract infections, according to a study published in the June 2011 "Urologia Internationalis." In the animal study, diets consisting of 15 percent pumpkin seeds for 28 days resulted in decreased prostate gland weight. Pumpkin seed consumption decreased levels of an enzyme the prostate produces that becomes elevated in prostate cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

Phytoestrogens in pumpkin seeds may help reduce breast cancer risk in women, according to a study published in the May 2012 issue of the journal "Nutrition and Cancer." Researchers surveyed diets of over 9,000 women and found that those who consumed more phytoestrogen-rich foods, such as soybeans, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, showed significantly lower rates of breast cancer.

Anti-Parasitic

A combination of pumpkin seeds and areca nut, also known as betel nut -- a palm seed commonly chewed for its mild stimulant effects -- helped combat tapeworm infection in a study published in the November 2012 issue of "Acta Tropica." In the study, 79 percent of participants who consumed the combination supplement expelled tapeworms and took an average of two hours to completely eliminate all worms. Treatment with pumpkin seeds alone led to 75 percent of participants expelling tapeworms, with an average of 14 hours for complete expulsion of worms. Researchers concluded that the combination of pumpkin seeds with areca nut produced a synergistic effect, whereby tapeworm elimination was slightly more effective and substantially faster.

Liver Health

Pumpkin seed protein may offer liver-protective benefits, according to a study published in the April 2005 issue of "Phytotherapy Research." In the study, animals fed a low-protein diet for five days and then exposed to a liver irritant showed elevated liver enzymes. Subsequent addition of pumpkin seed protein significantly decreased elevated liver enzymes, leading researchers to conclude that pumpkin seed protein is of sufficient quality to restore protein levels in the liver and improve liver function. An animal study published in the November 2006 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" found that pumpkin seed protein increased levels of antioxidant enzymes and improved antioxidant capacity. In the study, diets supplemented with 20 percent pumpkin seed protein resulted in decreased levels of oxidized lipids in response to a liver irritant.

About the Author

Tracey Roizman has been a writer and speaker on natural and preventive health care since 1995. She holds a B.S. in nutritional biochemistry and a doctor of chiropractic degree, and is a postgraduate diplomate in chiropractic functional neurology.